It is rare for the word “stability” to be attached to Jose Mourinho but Frank
Lampard has declared that the return of the former manager to Chelsea is a
sign that, at last, the club are planning “longer term”.

Settled: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says it is 'nice to have a feel of stability around the place' following the appointment of Jose MourinhoPhoto: ACTION IMAGES

“It’s nice to have a feeling around the place where it’s not an interim-manager situation,” Lampard said, referring to the brief and, at times, turbulent periods when Rafael Benítez and Roberto Di Matteo were in charge.

“We got used to it because we were very successful doing it,” Lampard added of those Champions League and Europa League successes. “We can’t complain too much. But it’s certainly nice to have a feel of stability around the place.”

Now, the midfielder said, “there is a plan there. That was always what we needed”.

Lampard, who signed a one-year extension to his contract last season, after expecting to leave Chelsea, added: “But, at the same time, at a club like Chelsea, you always want that instant and regular success. We want to do well this year but we are also looking for the long term.”

Having penned a four-year contract Mourinho has been assured he will be given that time as long as he integrates some of the younger players, such as Andre Schürrle and Kevin de Bruyne, into the Chelsea team. The role of Lampard, now 35, is also inevitably changing and he accepts that his career is at a different stage to when Mourinho left in 2007.

In the Portuguese’s three seasons in charge Lampard started 170 games and scored 60 goals. Now he has a club-record 203 Chelsea goals but can expect to be used far more tactically. He will not play every game. “He [Mourinho] won’t tell anyone that they are going to play every game,” Lampard said. “We have spoken. He’s aware that I am fit, he knows me as a player. He will pick and choose the team, week in, week out. We have got a big squad? Do I accept that? I have accepted it the last few years anyway so it’s no different.”

Lampard, who earned his 98th England cap against Scotland in midweek, also accepts his elder-statesman status and the need to mentor. “You certainly have to take on the responsibility when you get to your thirties and onwards to help the young players,” he said. “We have got a lot of them in both squads, Chelsea and England. I really enjoy doing that. I love seeing players flourish. I’ve seen it with England over the last few years.There’s more to come, further to go for these young players. And at Chelsea the same.”

Lampard’s pre-season has been hampered by injury but he featured in the second half against Scotland and hopes to be involved in Sunday’s opening Premier League fixture at home to Hull City.

“It’s good to have the manager back,” Lampard admitted. “He’s demanding on the training ground, which is the best way to be. He’s easy to talk to, off the pitch, let’s you know what he wants. He can be light-hearted at times, can be hard when he needs to be – any player, whether you’re young or old, enjoys playing under that.

“There’s a real freshness about the place at the minute, he’s the same man. Obviously, he’s a bit more experienced. He knows the club inside out, he knows some of the players already. He has been very good to work with some of the young players that we have got. I have seen the reaction of players in training already – we now need to show that on the pitch.”